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I
Live in Burlington, Ontario, Canada and am the proud father of my 2 sons Tom,
11 & Colin, 9. I started Square Dancing at the age of 8, and started
calling 36 years ago at the age of 10. Typically, I started dancing in a teen
club of over 10 squares, and at an “amateur” night, I stood up and called
“Summer Sounds”, with John Davidson, my mentor, firmly planted behind me! I
was fine for the most part, but froze when I mistakenly called allemande left
your partner! Needless to say, I continued with some encouragement from my
parents, and local callers and am very fortunate to have opportunities to call
all over the world. I presently call for two clubs through the level of C1 and have had the good fortune to have been a featured caller at festivals coast to coast in Canada, most States, Europe and Japan. I have served on the Board of Governors of CALLERLAB for 12 years and 7 of those years as a member of the Executive Committee, and currently one of the Past- Chairman. I have served as Chairman Of the Canadian Callers Committee, chaired an ad Hoc Committee to deal with Border crossing, Vice Chair of the Special Interests committee, serving as member of the Challenge Committee, Advanced Committee, Marketing Committee, and the RPM committee. I was President of the Canadian Western Dance Instructors Association, and has served in various roles of Local Square and Round Dance Associations. At home, I own my Insurance Brokerage, and have served as the Chairman of the local Insurance Brokers Association, Provincial Insurance Brokers Association, and am currently the Chairman of an industry specific computer user group. In 1990, I received my private Pilots license, and now own a small plane that I use to travel to my bookings. I also serve as a member of the board of a local Pilots group, and am a contributor to the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association Monthly Magazine. Calling, for me,
has given me the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing people. Callers
have taught me both the good and the bad. I have seen great choreography, great
showmanship and learned important civility. Mostly I’ve learned to laugh, both
at myself and along with the dancers. My hope at each dance is that both the dancers and myself enjoy each others company. To have at least one good belly laugh at each event. It’s about the dance experience for me…Choreography tends to come second to simply having a great time!!! I eagerly look forward to each dance. Each one has it’s own memories for me. Memories like… being wrapped in Toilet paper while calling having ping pong balls pitched at me being thrown in water calling after inhaling a little helium calling to 125 squares on one floor my first trip to Europe the laughter and smiles from dancers catching the wrong flight home, and ending in Montreal falling off the stage because I was acting like a fool my MC job at the Callerlab Convention Missing Callerlab because my son Colin was born Mostly, meeting and shaking the hands of my calling Idols I can’t wait to call!!!!!
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